This post is number nine in a series On Being a Writer: 12 Simple Habits for a Writing Life that Lasts, by Ann Kroeker and Charity Singleton Craig, hosted by Kate Motaung.

In contemplating engaging with other writers and creative people I find myself very grateful for the internet. The ability to gather with like-minded people and grow as part of a group despite the span of miles is an enormous blessing. I considered the call to write long ago. I always wrote, but I should specify that I considered a career just out of college. I did not stumble upon a group of Christian writers at that time. In the secular sphere I felt like I did not belong. In truth, I felt as though I was too anachronistic to ever belong. I went to work in the church. I believed that it was the only place where my contribution would be welcome.

After more than a decade I did stumble upon a Christian writer’s community online. In many and various ways I found parts of myself. I had suffered under the illusion that I was an anomaly. I learned that there are many other people who view the world in many of the ways that I do. I am learning that one of the enemy ‘s chief tools is to isolate us and suffer us to keep quiet about our faith out of fear that very few people share our faith today. The Internet has torn down walls that kept us quiet. We are a community of believers. We are strong enough to build each other up. The internet is famous for those who tear other people down. Social media has a bad reputation. In my view it is undeserved.

Since the early church believers have encouraged one another. We have always been a community that resembles a family. There are always relatives who behave selfishly, however, Christians are not as a rule dysfunctional. The most positive and caring group you can affiliate with are Christians with mature faith. If you have been hurt by believers keep looking, for there are many good groups. Do not become discouraged. I wish that I had known about groups like (in)Courage and Five Minute Friday’s sooner.

I have enjoyed being a part of this writing group! I will be linking up with 31 Days in October as well. If all goes as planned I will be checking out a local real-life writer’s group tomorrow. They are not a Christian group per se, but hopefully I will find some encouragement there as well. I have the courage to try because of the online communities that I have been able to become a part of. It is possible that someone may want to read my thoughts. Thanks to the online Christians I am certain that God did not give me a love of words to frustrate me. There is a purpose to my penchant for obtuse words and if one person is uplifted by my verbosity then it is all for the glory of Jesus Christ. I think that this is the key difference in between Christian writers and the secular writers. We are not looking for our own glory. My image is irrelevant. I write to build up the reputation of Christ. If I look a bit foolish, or even very silly it is for a greater purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 4:10

We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.